Reflection on Chapter 72

Hanging on the wall of my office, is an illuminated page that was given to me when I was a novice (see the photo that accompanies this article). A friend had created this piece of art featuring a quote from my favorite chapter in the Rule, chapter 72. It is the chapter on the good zeal that monks should possess. In a sense it summarizes the whole of the Saint Benedict’s Rule, distilling it down to one basic concept. That concept being love. It is love that is the guiding principle of living the monastic life. Chapter 72 presents a listing, as it were, of behaviors which a monk should be capable of fostering with fervent love. Toward the end of this chapter, Saint Benedict summarizes his entire rule as follows, “To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeignedand humble love.” (RB 72:8-10)

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Yet for this love to flourish, something is needed to spur it on. That something is the work of the monastery. It is obvious that those religious communities which are thriving are those which have a clear sense of who they are and what their work is. But this does not mean that you have people living together who just happen to be wearing a habit. The habit a monk does not make. Recall Saint Benedict’s warning about the sarabaites, “the most detestable kind of monks, . . . they clearly lie to God by their tonsure. . . It is better to keep silent than to speak of all these and their disgraceful way of life.”(RB 1:6, 7b, 12) Suffice it to say that a community which is united in their identity and their work which is in conformity to their mode of religious life and the Magisterium of the Church will thrive. They will thrive because of their dedication to the Truth. And it is a Truth that is revealed out of the love they have for God and for each other.

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Those communities which are faithful to their dedication to the Truth out of love are those communities which have seen an influx of new members. And it is precisely that dedication that is borne out of humility and loving obedience which will reveal these communities as a light to the world guiding humanity to God. Whether they be monks or another form of consecrated religious or faithful lay persons may these words of Saint Benedict hold true for one and all, “Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.” (RB 72:11)

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